administrati administration's work in the middle east. take a listen. >> but it is our responsibility and the responsibility of the president to use america's greatest power to shape history, not to lead from behind, leaving our destiny at the mercy of events. unfortunately, that's exactly where we find ourselves in the middle east under president obama. >> but a fellow republican, senator rand paul, tells cnn that romney's approach is wrong, that more u.s. intervention in the mideast would not be effective, that our wars have fared poorly. in your opinion, what is the role of the u.s. in this region? >> first of all, we have to determine, is this region important to us? and the answer definitely is yes. because of our allies in the region from nato ally turkey which is under fire right now from syria to israel that's constantly being threatened to our gulf allies. secondly, energy. thirdly, this is the transportation and geographic hub of eurasia. fourthly, it's the cradle of civilizations in religions, it's part of our heritage. we can'